An Introduction to Continuum Physics

Authors: Nolting, Wolfgang
Targets deeper understanding of Hamilton and Lagrangian mechanics, giving a sturdy base for understanding quantum mechanics in later semesters
Offers a tried-and-tested approach reflecting the author's 40 years of teaching experience
Belongs to a multi-volume introduction to theoretical physics, in which one renowned textbook author covers the complete curriculum
Offers detailed explanations of the solutions to numerous problems

This textbook presents a concise yet detailed introduction to quantum physics. Concise, because it condenses the essentials to a few principles.

This book describes the basic principles of plasticity for students and engineers who wish to perform plasticity analyses in their professional lives, and provides an introduction to the application of plasticity theories and basic continuum mechanics in metal forming processes.

Offering a modern approach to this most classical of subjects, Physics of Continuous Matter is first and foremost an introduction to the basic concepts and phenomenology of continuous systems, and the derivations of the equations of continuum mechanics from Newtonian mechanics.

This book provides an introduction to geometrically non-linear single crystal plasticity with continuously distributed dislocations. A symbolic tensor notation is used to focus on the physics. The book also shows the implementation of the theory into the finite element method. Moreover, a simple simulation example demonstrates the capability of the theory to describe the emergence of planar lattice defects (subgrain boundaries) and introduces characteristics of pattern forming systems. Numerical challenges involved in the localization phenomena are discussed in detail.

"Basic Concepts in Physics: From the Cosmos to Quarks" is the outcome of the authors' long and varied teaching experience in different countries and for different audiences, and gives an accessible and eminently readable introduction to all the main ideas of modern physics. The book’s fresh approach, using a novel combination of historical and conceptual viewpoints, makes it ideal complementary reading to more standard textbooks. The first five chapters are devoted to classical physics, from planetary motion to special relativity, always keeping in mind its relevance to questions of contemporary interest. The next six chapters deal mainly with newer developments in physics, from quantum theory and general relativity to grand unified theories, and the book concludes by discussing the role of physics in living systems.